Generated by All in One SEO v4.9.10, this is an llms.txt file, used by LLMs to index the site. # Alan Hoffler Alan Hoffler ## Sitemaps - [XML Sitemap](https://www.alanhoffler.com/sitemap.xml): Contains all public & indexable URLs for this website. ## Posts - [A Great Way to Start the Day](https://www.alanhoffler.com/2025/03/12/a-great-way-to-start-the-day/) - There aren't many better ways that I can think of than a sunrise over a body of water. This is two days in a row for me. Today is even more special, because I got to share it with my dad. I am saddened at how few sunrises I get (make myself) to experience. Which - [How to Make Your Audience Listen](https://www.alanhoffler.com/2025/03/07/how-to-make-your-audience-listen/) - Every year for the last decade, I’ve chosen to pick a single word rather than making New Year’s Resolutions. This word becomes a point of focus, study, and emphasis in the coming year. My friend Dan Britton introduced me to the concept through his book of self-explanatory title, One Word that will change your life. - [You can’t read the label from inside the can](https://www.alanhoffler.com/2025/02/06/you-cant-read-the-label-from-inside-the-can/) - "You can’t read the label from inside the can." A thought-provoking excerpt from Deep Thoughts from the Shallow End by Alan Hoffler. Read more inside. - [We broke up](https://www.alanhoffler.com/2025/02/06/good-relationships/) - A speech habit ended one relationship—and strengthened another. Read this excerpt from Deep Thoughts from the Shallow End by Alan Hoffler. - [Speed](https://www.alanhoffler.com/2022/02/01/speed/) - Video Transcript: In our public speaking skills workshops, we frequently ask how many of you have been told that you talk too fast? Usually about three out of every four people raise their hand and go, "yep that's me talk too fast. Done it my whole life." But when I disagree with them, I - [Be Rather Than Seem](https://www.alanhoffler.com/2021/09/03/be-rather-than-seem/) - Video Transcript: My wonderful home state of North Carolina has a motto, “Esse Quam Videri”...“to be rather than to seem”. It comes from an essay by Cicero on friendship. Few are those who wish to be endowed with virtue, rather than to seem so. See when it comes to character or friendship, - [Always On](https://www.alanhoffler.com/2021/07/30/always-on/) - Video Transcript: In the video that won't age well, it's three weeks from today that I'll drop my youngest child off on the steps of a dormitory. It's bittersweet. I'm super proud of her, but I'm going to miss her. As a dad, I'm pondering in my mind - Did I cover everything? - [Becoming Comfortable With the Uncomfortable](https://www.alanhoffler.com/2021/07/01/becoming-comfortable-with-the-uncomfortable/) - Video Transcript Probably the greatest barrier for a speaker to overcome is the internal voice inside their head. We joke in our workshops that it's the little voice on our shoulder. Often it sounds like one of our parents, or maybe an early teacher, or maybe even a boss, somebody that corrected us - [The Importance of Video](https://www.alanhoffler.com/2021/06/01/the-importance-of-video/) - Video Transcript Due to the pandemic quarantines, live audiences have kind of been on hold for awhile. I've gotten very comfortable at looking at this video set up that we've got doing zoom recordings. Last week, I had one of my very first live presentations. It felt good to be back in front - [How Do I Get My Audience To Remember?](https://www.alanhoffler.com/2021/05/01/how-do-i-get-my-audience-to-remember/) - Video Transcript One of my favorite questions, which I shamelessly stole from Joe Ehrmann in my work with youth sports is the question, “What's your definition of success?” As that applies to speaking or communicating, I've adopted this definition - “that the audience can repeat what you said.” I can't control you and - [How do I make Eye Contact in an online meeting?](https://www.alanhoffler.com/2021/03/30/how-do-i-make-eye-contact-in-an-online-meeting/) - Video Transcript: I was asked recently in an online seminar, “what's the most difficult thing you've had to adjust to in the new online world?” The answer was easy. The most difficult thing for most of us to do is to change a habit. That's the premise of almost all of our - [Find Your One Thing and Have a Repeatable Message](https://www.alanhoffler.com/2021/02/28/find-your-one-thing-and-have-a-repeatable-message/) - Video Transcript: When experts come to me after being asked to speak or to teach about what they're an expert in, they often have the feeling, “how on earth am I going to fill a whole hour?” I just laugh at them. You're an expert, you've got plenty of content. Usually by - [Can you make me a more CONFIDENT Speaker?](https://www.alanhoffler.com/2021/01/30/can-you-make-me-a-more-confident-speaker/) - Video Transcript: It's the most common inquiry we get here at MillsWyck Communications, a weekly occurrence by phone or email. “Hey, can you make me a more confident speaker? I get really nervous when I have to speak.” Before we give them the answer, we ask them a question: “Are you - [Write Effective Emails That Get Results](https://www.alanhoffler.com/2020/12/26/write-effective-emails-that-get-results/) - Video Transcript: In my dealings with people in the business world. I have never, not once, heard anybody say, “Oh, I wish I just got more emails” or, “Oh, if that email had been just a little bit longer it would've made it so much more effective”. What I do hear - [Virtual Presenting: Camera Selection](https://www.alanhoffler.com/2020/11/30/2375/) - Video Transcript: When I advise friends and clients about their online setup as they transition to their home studios and online world, my reputation for being cheap comes into play. My usual advice is that you don't need to spend really any money to make your studio look great. There is one - [Virtual Presenting: Lighting](https://www.alanhoffler.com/2020/11/01/virtual-presenting-lighting/) - Video Transcript: As we transitioned to this new online world of zoom meetings and online videos, I get asked a lot about the equipment that I use to create this studio look, which is far from a studio. What I tell most people is right out of the bat you don't really ## Pages - [Home](https://www.alanhoffler.com/) - Alan Hoffler inspires professionals with powerful strategies for confident, persuasive communication through keynotes, workshops, coaching, and online courses. - [Deep Thoughts from the Shallow End](https://www.alanhoffler.com/deepthoughts/) - Book snippets and exclusive extras from Alan Hoffler’s Deep Thoughts from the Shallow End book —bonus stories, visuals and insights for readers. - [Books By Alan Hoffler](https://www.alanhoffler.com/author/) - Discover books by Alan Hoffler on communication, leadership, and life’s transitions. Learn more about his latest book, Deep Thoughts from the Shallow End. - [Privacy Policy](https://www.alanhoffler.com/book-alan/privacy-policy/) - Review our privacy policy to learn how we collect, use, and protect your data at AlanHoffler.com. Contact us with any questions about your privacy rights. - [Blog](https://www.alanhoffler.com/blog/) - Explore Alan Hoffler’s blog for expert insights on communication, leadership, and public speaking. Read the latest posts and improve your skills today! - [Book Alan](https://www.alanhoffler.com/book-alan/) - Book keynote speaker Alan Hoffler for your next event. Fill out the form to inquire about availability, fees, and customized keynotes for your audience. - [Signature Presentations](https://www.alanhoffler.com/keynotes/signature-presentations/) - Explore Alan Hoffler’s signature keynote presentations on communication, leadership, and coaching. Book Alan today for your next event! - [Meeting Planners](https://www.alanhoffler.com/keynotes/meeting-planners/) - Resources for meeting planners booking Alan Hoffler. Download headshots, speaker bios, AV requirements, and demo videos to prepare for your event. - [See Alan in Action](https://www.alanhoffler.com/keynotes/see-alan-in-action/) - Watch Alan Hoffler in action. See keynote clips, and experience his humor and storytelling in his engaging presentations. Book Alan for your next event today! - [Keynotes](https://www.alanhoffler.com/keynotes/) - Book Alan Hoffler for a keynote, workshop, or conference session on communication, leadership, and coaching. Available in multiple formats. Book Alan today! - [About](https://www.alanhoffler.com/about/) - Learn more about Alan Hoffler, a keynote speaker, coach and author who helps professionals master confident, persuasive communication. Includes a contact form. ## Categories - [public speaking](https://www.alanhoffler.com/category/public-speaking/) - [communication](https://www.alanhoffler.com/category/communication/) - [Virtual presentations](https://www.alanhoffler.com/category/virtual-presentations/) - [Stage Presence](https://www.alanhoffler.com/category/stage-presence/) - [Delivery](https://www.alanhoffler.com/category/delivery/) - [Deep Thoughts](https://www.alanhoffler.com/category/deep-thoughts/) - A collection of thought-provoking snippets from Alan Hoffler’s book, Deep Thoughts from the Shallow End. Explore reflections on life, faith, relationships, and the everyday moments that shape us. Sometimes humorous, sometimes brutally honest—always insightful. - [Sunrise/Sunset](https://www.alanhoffler.com/category/sunrise-sunset/) ## Tags - [public speaking](https://www.alanhoffler.com/tag/public-speaking/) - [communication](https://www.alanhoffler.com/tag/communication/) - [emails](https://www.alanhoffler.com/tag/emails/) - [effective emails](https://www.alanhoffler.com/tag/effective-emails/) - [virtual](https://www.alanhoffler.com/tag/virtual/) - [virtual presentations](https://www.alanhoffler.com/tag/virtual-presentations/) - [lighting](https://www.alanhoffler.com/tag/lighting/) - [online meetings](https://www.alanhoffler.com/tag/online-meetings/) - [camera](https://www.alanhoffler.com/tag/camera/) - [confidence](https://www.alanhoffler.com/tag/confidence/) - [speaker](https://www.alanhoffler.com/tag/speaker/) - [message](https://www.alanhoffler.com/tag/message/) - [presentation](https://www.alanhoffler.com/tag/presentation/) - [eye contact](https://www.alanhoffler.com/tag/eye-contact/) - [remember](https://www.alanhoffler.com/tag/remember/) - [video](https://www.alanhoffler.com/tag/video/) - [Deep Thoughts](https://www.alanhoffler.com/tag/deep-thoughts/) - [Self-Perception](https://www.alanhoffler.com/tag/self-perception/) - [Feedback](https://www.alanhoffler.com/tag/feedback/) - [Self-Awareness](https://www.alanhoffler.com/tag/self-awareness/) - [Personal Growth](https://www.alanhoffler.com/tag/personal-growth/) - [Alan Hoffler](https://www.alanhoffler.com/tag/alan-hoffler/) - [Deep Thoughts from the Shallow End](https://www.alanhoffler.com/tag/deep-thoughts-from-the-shallow-end/) - [featured](https://www.alanhoffler.com/tag/featured/) - [Speech Habits](https://www.alanhoffler.com/tag/speech-habits/) - [Relationships](https://www.alanhoffler.com/tag/relationships/) - [Communication Skills](https://www.alanhoffler.com/tag/communication-skills/) - [audience](https://www.alanhoffler.com/tag/audience/) - [listen](https://www.alanhoffler.com/tag/listen/)